The Phoenix’s build-up was far from ideal, with six players only returning on Friday from All Whites commitments in Japan, and they also missed suspended midfielder Manny Muscat.

News_Rich_Media: Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory have played out a 1-1 draw at Westpac Stadium, with a rare William Gallas goal not enough to earn Perth all three points.

They looked out of sorts, lacking intensity and unable to find any width on attack, and there were few bright points in a scrappy first half.

Carlos Hernandez and Stein Huysegems both featured early with half-chances, while Roy Krishna and Matthew Ridenton also tested Perth’s defence and rookie goalkeeper Jack Duncan as the first half wore on.

Wellington’s already makeshift defence looked even more shaky when they lost Josh Brindell-South after 24 minutes, the left back barely able to walk from the field with a suspected hamstring injury.

Ten minutes later Gallas put Perth ahead after Wellington gifted possession with a sloppy turnover at the back.

Gallas pounced, offloaded to Glory skipper Jacob Burns, who slipped the former French international the perfect pass for him to slam home.

Gallas’s goal galvanised the home team into lifting the tempo, and they finished on a positive note after Krishna squirmed past three defenders, and left Duncan sprawling only for his shot to rebound off the upright.

Wellington found more space at the back after Perth lost defender Michael Thwaite with a lower back injury at halftime.

Although they threatened on the counterattack, the Phoenix couldn’t finish until Cunningham nodded home Tyler Boyd’s cross with five minutes remaining